Method to start a computer program

ABSTRACT

A method of starting a computer program where the program is stored in a memory belonging to a computer on which the program is to be used by a user. A first part of the program is stored in a primary memory of the computer in a first method step, wherein the first program part is the entire program with the exception of a smaller second part thereof. The primary memory requires the application of a voltage in order to retain information. The second part of the program is fetched from a source other than the source of the first part of the program in a second method step. The second part of the program is stored in the primary memory in a third method step, whereupon the program is complete and ready for use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to method of starting a computer program.

2. Description of the Related Art

Computer programs are often distributed by means of diskettes, CD discs,or DVD discs, to the purchaser of a computer program, or to thepurchaser of a license allowing the use of a computer program. Once thesoftware has been installed, the program retailer normally has nocontrol over the purchased software sample with regard to its use andits further distribution. It is often easy to duplicate the software orto install it in more computers than those included by a license, forexample.

In the case of certain types of computer programs, it would be highlydesirable to have control over the use of purchased software. Forinstance, it would be desirable know how many times the software hasbeen used, or the total length of time that the software has been used,so as to obtain a basis on which the purchaser can be billed.

The present invention satisfies such desiderata, by enabling the use ofsoftware to be checked or controlled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention relates to a method of starting a computerprogram where the program is stored in a memory belonging to a computeron which the program is to be used by a user. The method involvesstoring in a primary memory of the computer in a first method step afirst part of the program, wherein said first program part includes thewhole of said program with the exception of a smaller second partthereof. The primary memory requires the application of a voltage inorder to retain information. The second part of the program is fetchedfrom a source other than the source of the first part of the program ina second method step. The second part of the program is stored in saidprimary memory in a third method step, whereupon the program is completeand ready for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will now be described in more detail partly with referenceto an exemplifying embodiment thereof, and also with reference to theaccompanying drawing, of which FIG. 1 is a block diagram thatillustrates the inventive method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The method according to the invention relates to a manner of starting acomputer program, wherein the program is stored in a memory belonging toa computer on which the program is to be run by a user.

Shown in FIG. 1 is a computer 1 on which the program is to be run. Thecomputer includes a primary memory 2 and a secondary memory 3 in theform of a hard disc or its equivalent. The computer 1 may be a personalcomputer or a server.

Also shown is a server 4 or corresponding computer having an associateddatabase 5. The database may be in the memory of the computer 4.

According to the invention, a first part 6 of the program to be run isstored in the primary memory 2 of the computer 1 in a first method step,wherein the primary memory is of the kind that requires the applicationof a voltage in order to retain information. Said first program partincludes the whole of said program with the exception of a given smallersecond part 7 thereof.

The second part 7 of the program is fetched from a source other than thesource of the first part 6 of the program in a second method step.

This second part 7 of the program is stored in said primary memory 2 ina third method step, whereupon the program is ready for use. This isillustrated in FIG. 1 with the transfer of the second part 7 of theprogram to the first part 6 of the program as shown by the arrow 13,thereby completing the program.

The first part of the program is identified by reference numeral 6 inFIG. 1, and the second part of the program is identified by referencenumeral 7. The complete program includes first part 6 and second part 7and is represented by the full square 9.

It is preferred to store the first part 6 of the program in a memory 2of the computer 1 prior to carrying out the second method step, saidmemory 2 being of the kind that will retain stored information withoutneeding to apply a voltage, such as a hard disc or its equivalent.

In the first step of the invention, the first part 6 of the program isstored in the primary memory 2 of the computer 1. This can be effectedfrom the secondary memory 3 of the computer 1 or from a portable datastorage medium, such as a diskette, or a compact disc 10, or in someother suitable fashion.

In the second method step, the second part 7 of the program is fetchedfrom a source other than the source from which the first part 6 of theprogram was taken.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the second part7 of the program is fetched from a server 4, or from another computerthat is separate from the computer 1, via the Internet or some otherinformation transfer medium. This second part 7 of the program can befetched via a wired or wireless transfer medium, as represented byarrows 11, 12 in FIG. 1.

According to a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the program6, 7 is configured so that said second part 7 of the program need bestored only in the primary memory 2.

Because the complete program is stored in the primary memory 2, theentire program will be lost when the user exits from the program orswitches off the computer 1. In order to be able to use the programagain, it is necessary to repeat the above-described three method steps.It thus possible to store in the server information disclosing thenumber of times that the program has been activated. The second part 7of the program can be any suitable part of the overall program. Forexample, it may consist of program instructions, strings, parts offigures, or other information without which the user is unable to usethe program. The second part 7 of the program is thus configured so thatthe program 9 cannot be used without it.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a code is sentfrom the computer 1 to the server 4, as indicated by the arrow 11, toenable the second part 7 of the program to be fetched. The second part 7of the program is transferred, once the code has been validated by theserver 4, as indicated by the arrow 12.

The code identifies a user. The owner of the code will suitably acquirethe code when permission to use the program is given.

For example, a user can acquire the right to use the program for anumber of times or over an agreed calendar period.

In respect of the second step of the invention, in which the second partof the program is fetched from a different source, it is preferred tostore the code in the server 4 and to pair the code with the code owner.This enables the code owner to be billed from the server 4, asillustrated by the print-out 14.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a number ofembodiments thereof, the person skilled in this art will be aware thatmodifications can be made.

The present invention is not therefore to be considered to be limited tosaid embodiments, since modifications can be made within the scope ofthe accompanying claims.

1. A method of starting a computer program wherein the program is to bestored in a memory belonging to a computer on which the program is to beused by a user, where a said method comprising the steps of: obtaining afirst Part of the program; storing the first part of the program in aprimary memory of the computer in a first method step, wherein saidfirst program part is a complete program with the exception of a smallersecond part thereof, and wherein the primary memory requires theapplication of a voltage to retain information to be stored therein;fetching said second part of the program fetched from a source otherthan that from which the first part of the program is obtained in asecond method step; and storing said second part of the program only insaid primary memory in a third method step, whereupon the program iscomplete and ready for use.
 2. A method according claim 1, including thestep of storing the first part of the program in a secondary memory ofthe computer prior to carrying out the first method step, wherein saidsecondary memory retains stored information without a need to apply avoltage to retain information stored therein.
 3. A method accordingclaim 1, wherein said first part of the program is provided on aportable data medium.
 4. A method according claim 1, wherein said secondpart of the program is fetched from a server that is separate from thecomputer used by the user.
 5. A method according claim 1, wherein thesource of the second part of the program is a server, and including thestep of transferring from the computer to the server a code for enablingfetching of said second part of the program.
 6. A method according claim5, including the steps of storing the code in the server when carryingout the second method step in which the second part of the program isfetched; and pairing the code with the user.
 7. A method according toclaim 2, wherein the secondary memory is a hard disk.
 8. A methodaccording to claim 3, wherein the portable data medium is a diskette. 9.A method according to claim 3, wherein the portable data medium is acompact disk.
 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said secondpart of the program is fetched from a second computer.
 11. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said second part of the program is fetchedfrom the Internet.